Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 April 2026
170. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department is examining the provisions of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 that prohibit the development of nuclear generating stations; the way in which this is being considered within the wider work on long-term energy security planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27524/26]
View answer171. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether recent technological developments, including small modular reactors, have prompted any review or policy analysis of the current statutory position under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27525/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 170 and 171 together.
There are two specific legislative prohibitions on nuclear power in place in Ireland. Both electricity legislation, in section 18(6) of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, and planning legislation, in section 182 of the Planning and Development Act 2024, prohibit the development of nuclear fission for electricity generation. Those provisions would need to be repealed as a first step to planning for the introduction of domestic nuclear fission energy generation.
I will note that the UK has faced several challenges in recent years in relation to nuclear energy projects, including the Sizewell C nuclear power station, which has faced a number of delays, and will not be delivered until the late 2030s, with an estimated cost of £38 billion. In addition, experience in other European countries suggests that the development of traditional nuclear power plants in particular takes many years. It also requires the creation of an extensive regulatory system that does not exist in Ireland, to enable the procurement and construction of such plants, and ultimately their safe demolition and the disposal of the waste created. Some nuclear power stations that were originally proposed in the early years of this century are still under construction or have only recently started commercial operations. Therefore, nuclear power could not practically be part of our electricity system in the 2020s or the 2030s.
This being said, I recognise that we need to consider all options in the long-term. The SEAI are undertaking the Decarbonised Electricity System Study to provide Government with an evidence-based pathway, or choice of pathways, for decarbonising the Irish electricity system post-2030, in line with Government policy to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. This technical study is examining thirty technologies, across generation, storage, and sector coupling, with decarbonising potential, which includes Small Modular Nuclear Fission Reactors amongst other technologies. I do want to be clear, however, that any decision would have to be supported by the people of Ireland. As things stand, it is not clear to me that public opinion is in favour of removing the legislative ban on the development of domestic nuclear power plants for electricity in Ireland. Building that majority would require an extensive conversation about the best means, that is consistent with energy security and affordability, to get to a net zero position for electricity by 2050.
For those reasons, my immediate focus is to prioritise the development of renewable electricity to reduce Ireland’s heavy reliance on natural gas generation. As a Government, we are committed to accelerating the development of onshore wind and solar generation, as well as electricity storage, and the development of phase 1 and phase 2 offshore windfarms. We are also actively increasing our interconnection with other countries, including those with nuclear as part of their electricity generation mix.
